Filter cartridge assemblies

ABSTRACT

A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system is disclosed which includes a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing, and a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing, a first pleated filter element operatively associated with the first interior flow path, a second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second interior flow path, and a carbon filter disc operatively associated with the second interior flow path and positioned adjacent a downstream side of the second pleated filter element.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation—in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/988,702, filed May 28, 2018, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/527,553 filed Jun. 30, 3017, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The subject invention is directed to laparoscopic surgery, and more particularly, to a filter cartridge for a multimodal insufflation system used during laparoscopic surgical procedures.

2. Description of Related Art

Laparoscopic or “minimally invasive” surgical techniques are becoming commonplace in the performance of procedures such as cholecystectomies, appendectomies, hernia repair and nephrectomies. Benefits of such procedures include reduced trauma to the patient, reduced opportunity for infection, and decreased recovery time. Such procedures within the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity are typically performed through a device known as a trocar or cannula, which facilitates the introduction of laparoscopic instruments into the abdominal cavity of a patient.

Additionally, such procedures commonly involve filling or “insufflating” the abdominal (peritoneal) cavity with a pressurized fluid, such as carbon dioxide, to create what is referred to as a pneumoperitoneum. The insufflation can be carried out by a surgical access device (sometimes referred to as a “cannula” or “trocar”) equipped to deliver insufflation fluid, or by a separate insufflation device, such as an insufflation (veress) needle. Introduction of surgical instruments into the pneumoperitoneum without a substantial loss of insufflation gas is desirable, in order to maintain the pneumoperitoneum.

During typical laparoscopic procedures, a surgeon makes three to four small incisions, usually no larger than about twelve millimeters each, which are typically made with the surgical access devices themselves, typically using a separate inserter or obturator placed therein. Following insertion, the inserter is removed, and the trocar allows access for instruments to be inserted into the abdominal cavity. Typical trocars often provide means to insufflate the abdominal cavity, so that the surgeon has an open interior space in which to work.

The trocar must provide a means to maintain the pressure within the cavity by sealing between the trocar and the surgical instrument being used, while still allowing at least a minimum freedom of movement of the surgical instruments. Such instruments can include, for example, scissors, grasping instruments, and occluding instruments, cauterizing units, cameras, light sources and other surgical instruments. Sealing elements or mechanisms are typically provided on trocars to prevent the escape of insufflation gas. Sealing elements or mechanisms typically include a duckbill-type valve made of a relatively pliable material, to seal around an outer surface of surgical instruments passing through the trocar.

Further, in laparoscopic surgery, electrocautery and other techniques (e.g. harmonic scalpels) create smoke and other debris in the surgical cavity, reducing visibility by fogging the view from, and coating surfaces of endoscopes and the like. A variety of surgical insufflation systems and smoke evacuation systems are known in the art.

Additionally, CONMED Corporation of Utica, N.Y., USA has developed surgical access devices that permit access to an insufflated surgical cavity without conventional mechanical seals, and has developed related systems for providing sufficient pressure and flow rates to such access devices, as described in whole or in part in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724.

The present disclosure relates to multimodal systems, and related devices and methods, capable of performing multiple surgical gas delivery functions, including insufflation to standard or specialized surgical access devices or other instruments, such as veress needles and the like, smoke evacuation through standard or specialized surgical access devices, and specialized functions, such as recirculation and filtration of insufflation fluids, such as with the above-mentioned surgical access devices described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,854,724, as well as those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,182,752, 7,285,112, 7,413,559 or 7,338,473, for example.

Use of a single multimodal system such as those described herein reduces costs by requiring purchase of only one system while achieving multiple functions, and also thereby reduces the amount of equipment needed in an operating room, thus reducing clutter and allowing space for other necessary equipment.

The conventional techniques have been considered satisfactory for their intended purpose. However, there is an ever present need for improved filtration in surgical access devices. This disclosure provides a solution for this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A filter cartridge for surgical gas delivery systems includes a filter housing configured to be seated in a filter cartridge interface of a surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element is seated in a first end portion of the filter housing. A second filter element is seated in a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion. A third filter element is seated in the filter housing between the first and second filter elements.

The third filter element can include an activated carbon material. The third filter element can include an activated carbon disc. Each of the first and second filter elements can include a pleated filter material. The second filter element can be in a flow path downstream of the third filter element. The first filter element can be in a separate flow path from the second and third filter elements.

A separator wall can be included within the filter housing between the first filter element and the second filter element. The separator wall can include a gas aperture therethrough, wherein a plenum is defined between the separator wall and the third filter element, and wherein the gas aperture is configured to pressurize the plenum with gas for utilization of a larger cross-sectional area of the third filter element than that of the gas aperture. A peripheral rim can be defined around the separator wall, wherein the third filter element seats against the peripheral rim to maintain the plenum defined inside a volume defined between the separator wall and the third filter element and within the peripheral rim. A seal can be seated between the separator wall and the third filter element to force gas flow from the plenum through the third filter element. A seal seat can be defined in the peripheral rim with the seal seated therein. A fluid trap can be defined between the first filter element and the separator wall, wherein the gas aperture is configured to allow passage of gas above a reservoir of fluid trapped in the fluid trap.

A cover plate can be mounted to the filter housing to secure the first filter element in the first end portion of the filter housing. The cover plate can include a fitting for connecting to a tri-lumen tube set for communication of gases between a tri-lumen tube set and the filter elements. A tri-lumen tube set can be connected to the fitting. It is also contemplated that the cover plate can include a fitting for connecting to a bi-lumen tube set for communication of gases between a bi-lumen tube set and the filter elements. A bi-lumen tube set can be connected to the fitting.

A second cover plate can be mounted to the filter housing to secure the second filter element in the second end portion of the filter housing. The second cover plate can define three apertures configured to seal against three respective gas ports defined in a filter cartridge interface of a surgical gas delivery system.

Another exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge for surgical gas delivery systems includes a filter housing configured to be seated in a filter cartridge interface of a surgical gas delivery system. A first filter element is seated in a first end portion of the filter housing in a first flow path. A second filter element seated in a second end portion of the filter housing opposite the first end portion in a second flow path. A third filter element is seated in the filter housing between the first and second filter elements, wherein the third filter element is in the second flow path, wherein the first and second flow paths are fluidly isolated from one another within the filter housing. A fourth filter element can be seated in a third flow path that is fluidly isolated from the first and second flow paths within the filter housing.

A method of processing surgical gas for a surgical gas delivery system includes receiving smoke evacuation gas from a pneumoperitoneum into a filter cartridge. The method includes flowing the smoke evacuation gas through an activated carbon filter element within the filter cartridge to filter at least one of smoke, particulate, and impurities from the smoke evacuation gas. The method also includes receiving the filtered smoke evacuation gas into a surgical gas delivery system.

The method can include flowing the smoke evacuation gas through a pleated filter element downstream of the activated carbon filter element and upstream of the surgical gas delivery system. It is also contemplated that the method can include flowing insufflation gas into the pneumoperitoneum through a separate flow path in the filter cartridge from the smoke evacuation gas, wherein the insufflation gas passes through a second pleated filter element in the filter cartridge, and communicating pressure from the pneumoperitoneum through a third flow path through the filter cartridge separate from the flow paths of the insufflation gas and smoke evacuation gas.

The subject invention is also directed to a filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system that includes a housing having a front end and a rear end. The housing defines a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing for delivering pressurized gas from the surgical gas delivery device to a body cavity of a patient.

The housing defines a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing for returning gas from the body cavity of the patient to the surgical gas delivery device. The housing defines a third interior flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing for delivering insufflation gas from the surgical gas delivery device to the body cavity of the patient.

A first pleated filter element is positioned within the first interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient. A second pleated filter element is positioned within the second interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas returning from the body cavity of the patient.

An activated carbon filter disc is positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing for removing volatile organic compounds from the pressurized gas returning from the body cavity of the patient. A non-woven filter element is positioned within the third interior flow path adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing for filtering the insufflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient.

A fluid trap is defined within the housing and it is operatively associated with the second interior flow path. The fluid trap is located between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing. The first inlet, the second outlet and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing. The first outlet, the second inlet and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.

These and other features of the systems and methods of the subject disclosure will become more readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that those skilled in the art to which the subject disclosure appertains will readily understand how to make and use the devices and methods of the subject disclosure without undue experimentation, preferred embodiments thereof will be described in detail herein below with reference to certain figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multimodal gas delivery device constructed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the subject invention, showing the filter cartridge and the corresponding filter cartridge interface;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a filter cartridge adapted and configured for interfacing with the gas delivery device of FIG. 1, showing the filter cartridge components looking toward the openings in the fitting for the tri-lumen-tube set in the first cover plate;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1, showing the filter cartridge components looking toward the apertures in the second cover plate that seal against the gas ports in the filter cartridge interface of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side elevation view of the filter cartridge of FIG. 1, showing the filter elements assembled into the filter housing;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective vie of another filter cartridge, wherein the activated carbon filter disc is positioned on the downstream side of the proximal pleated filter element; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the filter cartridge shown in FIG. 5, with a section of the side wall of the cartridge housing removed to illustrate internal features of the filter cartridge in cross-section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural features or aspects of the subject disclosure. For purposes of explanation and illustration, and not limitation, a partial view of an exemplary embodiment of a filter cartridge in accordance with the disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 and is designated generally by reference character 100. Other embodiments of filter cartridges in accordance with the disclosure, or aspects thereof, are provided in FIGS. 2-4, as will be described. The systems and methods described herein can be used for filtering surgical gases such as smoke evacuation gas from a pneumoperitoneum during smoke-producing surgical procedures.

There is illustrated in FIG. 1 a surgical gas delivery system 10 for use during laparoscopic surgical procedures. The system 10 includes a device housing 12 with carrying handles 14 on each side of the housing. The front face of the housing 12 has a capacitive or resistive touch screen 16 for presenting a graphical user interface (GUI) and a power switch 18 for turning the device on and off.

The front face of housing 12 further includes a filter cartridge interface 20 with a rotatable latch mechanism 22 configured to facilitate the secure engagement of a disposable filter cartridge 24 within the device housing 12. In addition, the front face of housing 12 includes a standard 6 mm insufflation connection 26. While not shown, the rear face of the housing 12 includes a gas supply fitting for connection with a source of compressed gas, a standard USB interface for service purposes, and a standard power connection.

The filter cartridge interface 20 is designed to recognize which type of filter 24 has been inserted into the housing. For example, it may recognize the proper position or orientation of the filter cartridge. It can also recognize if the inserted filter is specifically designed for use in the first mode of operation (i.e., the gaseous seal mode) or a filter specifically designed for use in the second mode of operation (i.e., insufflation and smoke evacuation mode). Other aspects of surgical gas delivery systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,067,030, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Referring to FIG. 2, the filter cartridge 24 has a filter housing 28 that includes a first cover plate 30 having a fitting 46 associated with a tri-lumen tube set 36 (as shown in FIG. 1). The filter housing 28 is configured to be seated in the filter cartridge interface 20 of the surgical gas delivery system 10 of FIG. 1. The filter housing 28 is dimensioned and configured to support a pair of first and second pleated filter elements 38 a and 38 b, and it defines an interior reservoir or fluid trap 40 for collecting liquid that has been drawn into the system through the suction line of the tube set 36 during smoke evacuation, for example.

The first filter element 38 a is seated in a first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. As shown in FIG. 3, the second filter element 38 b is seated in a second end portion 42 of the filter housing 28 opposite the first end portion 26. A third filter element 44 is seated in the filter housing 28 between the first and second filter elements 38 a and 38 b, as shown in FIG. 4. There is a fourth filter element 32 within end cap 50, shown in FIG. 3, that is a non-pleated filter for the sense/insufflation line described below. The third filter element 44 includes an activated carbon material and is in the form of an activated carbon disc. Each of the first and second filter elements 38 a and 38 b includes a pleated filter material. The third filter element 44 is a separate filter element from the second and third filter elements 38 a and 38 b, but it is contemplated that it could be integrated together with the second filter element 38 b. For example, a mesh support can be sandwiched between a paper filter and a carbon filter together that can then be folded into pleats to form combined second filter element 38 b and third filter element 44.

The first cover plate 30 is mounted to a first end of the filter housing 28 to secure the first filter element 38 a in the first end portion 26 of the filter housing 28. The first cover plate 30 includes a fitting 46 for connecting to the tri-lumen tube set 36 for communication of gases between a tri-lumen tube set 36 and the filter elements 38 a, 38 b, and 44. A second cover plate 50 is mounted to the opposite end of the filter housing 28 to secure the second filter element 38 b in the second end portion 42 of the filter housing. The second cover plate 50 includes a proximal and a distal plate welded or otherwise joined together with the fourth filter element 32 sandwiched therebetween. Referring to FIG. 3, the second cover plate 50 defines three apertures 52 a, 52 b, and 52 c that are each configured to seal against three respective gas ports defined in the filter cartridge interface 20 of FIG. 1. Fitting 46 includes three corresponding openings 54 a, 54 b, and 54 c.

A first flow path is defined through filter cartridge 24 from opening 54 a, through to fluid trap 40 (as indicated with broken lines in FIG. 4) and on through the second and third filter elements 38 b and 44 and out through aperture 52 a for filtration of smoke evacuation gas from a pneumoperitoneum, through one of lumens in the tri-lumen tube set 36 into the surgical gas delivery system 10. The second filter element 38 b is downstream of the third filter element 44 in this first flow path.

A second flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24, that is fluidly isolated within the filter cartridge 24 from the first flow path. The second flow path brings gas from the surgical gas delivery system 10, through aperture 52 b, through the first filter element 38 a, and out opening 54 b for maintaining a pneumoperitoneum with gas through a second one of the lumens in the tri-lumen tube set 36. The first filter element 38 a is therefore in a separate flow path from the second and third filter elements 38 b and 44. This second flow path is in the pressure line, supplying pressure to jets to create a gas seal in a valve-less seal, e.g., for a surgical access device connected to the tri-lumen tube set 36.

A third flow path is defined through the filter cartridge 24 that is fluidly isolated within the filter cartridge 24 from the other two flow paths. This third flow path does not pass through any of the filter elements 38 a, 38 b, or 44. Instead, the third flow path communicates abdominal pressure from opening 54 c through the filter cartridge 24 to aperture 52 c, bypassing the filter elements 38 a, 38 b, and 44 so the surgical gas delivery system 10 can monitor pressure in the pneumoperitoneum through a third one of the lumens in the tri-lumen tube set 36. CO₂ insufflation gas can flow from aperture 52 c to opening 54 c to a pneumoperitoneum. This third flow path acts as the insufflation/sense line, and is the only one of the three flow paths that passes through the fourth filter element 32.

With reference now to FIG. 4, a separator wall 56 is included within the filter housing 28 between the first filter element 38 a and the second filter element 38 b. The separator wall 56 cooperates with a bulkhead 58 of filter housing 28 inboard of first filter element 38 a to define the fluid trap 40 therebetween for trapping fluids (shown schematically in FIG. 4 in the bottom of the fluid trap 40) from incoming gas from the pneumoperitoneum. The separator wall 56 includes a gas aperture 60 therethrough. The gas aperture 60 is configured to allow passage of gas above a reservoir of fluid trapped in the bottom of fluid trap 40.

A plenum 62 is defined between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44. The gas aperture 60 is configured to pressurize the plenum 62 with gas for utilization of a larger cross-sectional area of the third filter element 44 than the cross-sectional area of the gas aperture 60, i.e. the plenum 62 is pressurized for nearly full area usage of the activated carbon of the third filter element 44. This allows flowing the smoke evacuation gas through the activated carbon filter element 44 within the filter cartridge 24 to filter at least one of smoke, particulate, and impurities from the smoke evacuation gas.

A peripheral rim 64 is defined around the separator wall 56, wherein the third filter element 44 seats against the peripheral rim 64 to maintain spacing for the plenum 62 defined inside a volume defined between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44 and within the peripheral rim 64. A seal 66 is seated between the separator wall 56 and the third filter element 44 to force gas flow from the plenum 62 through the third filter element 44. A seal seat 68 is defined in the peripheral rim 64 with the seal 66 seated therein.

Another embodiment of a filter with tube set in accordance with this disclosure includes an adapter that plugs the pressure line, e.g., by plugging opening 54 b, which is responsible for creating the gas seal described above. In this embodiment, a bi-lumen tube set would be attached to the filter cartridge, e.g., with one lumen connected to opening 54 a and one lumen connected to opening 54 c, with one lumen responsible for sense/insufflation gas, and the other lumen removing surgical gas and smoke from the cavity. This embodiment includes the third filter element 44 as described above for smoke evacuation, and omits the third lumen of the tri-lumen tube set 36.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is illustrated another embodiment of the filter cartridge of the subject invention, which is designated generally by reference numeral 100. Filter cartridge 100 includes a generally cylindrical housing 110 having a front end 110 a and a rear end 110 b. A front end cap 112 is operatively associated with the front end 110 a of housing 110 and a rear end cap 114 is operatively associated with the rear end 110 b of housing 110. The front and rear end caps 112, 114 can be welded, glued or otherwise secured to the housing 110 of filter cartridge 100 by methods well known in the art.

The housing 110 defines a first interior flow path 115 that extends downstream from a first inlet 120 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to a first outlet 122 in a manifold 125 on the front end cap 112 of the housing 110. The first interior flow path 115 is adapted and configured to deliver pressurized gas from a pump within the surgical gas delivery device 12 to a body cavity of a patient. The housing 110 defines a second interior flow path 116 extending upstream from a second inlet 124 in the manifold 125 of the front end cap 112 of the housing 110 to a second outlet 126 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110. The second interior flow path is adapted and configured to return gas flowing from the body cavity of the patient to the pump in the surgical gas delivery device 12.

The housing 110 defines a third interior flow path 118 extending downstream from a third inlet 128 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 to a third outlet 130 in the manifold 125 of the front end cap 112 of the housing 110. The third interior flow path is adapted and configured to deliver low pressure insufflation gas from an insufflator in the surgical gas delivery device 12 to the body cavity of the patient.

A first pleated filter element 132 is positioned within the first interior flow path 115 of housing 110 for filtering or otherwise removing particulates and other matter from the pressurized gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient by the pump. A second pleated filter element 134 is positioned within the second interior flow path 116 of housing 110 for filtering or otherwise removing particulates, fluids and other matter from the gas returning from the body cavity of the patient to the pump. In some instances, this return gas flow will be smoke filled gas resulting from an electro-cautery procedure performed within the body cavity of the patient.

An activated carbon filter disc 136 is advantageously positioned within the second interior flow path 116 of housing 110 between the second pleated filter element 134 and the second outlet 126 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 for removing volatile organic compounds or the like from smoke filled gas returning from the body cavity of the patient to the pump. A non-woven filter element or sheet of material 138 is positioned within the third interior flow path 118 of the housing 110 adjacent the third inlet 128 in the rear end cap 114 of the housing 110 for filtering the insufflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient from the insufflator in gas delivery device 12.

A fluid trap or reservoir 140 is defined within the housing 110 of filter cartridge 100 and it is operatively associated with the second interior flow path of the housing 110. The fluid trap 140 is adapted and configured to collect body fluids and irrigation fluids drawn into the filter cartridge by the pump. The fluid trap 140 is located between the second pleated filter element 134 and the second inlet 124 in the front end cap 112 of the housing 110 and it is bounded by an interior separator wall 142 of the housing 110 and a baffle plate 144. The baffle plate 144 defines a port 146 that facilitates gas flow between the fluid trap 140 and the second pleated filter element 134 in the second interior flow path 116.

The methods and systems of the present disclosure, as described above and shown in the drawings, provide for filtration of surgical gases with superior properties including improved removal of smoke, particulate, and impurities. While the apparatus and methods of the subject disclosure have been shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and/or modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the subject disclosure. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system comprising: a) a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing, and a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing; b) a first pleated filter element operatively associated with the first interior flow path; c) a second pleated filter element operatively associated with the second interior flow path; and d) a carbon filter disc operatively associated with the second interior flow path and positioned adjacent a downstream side of the second pleated filter element.
 2. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 1, wherein a third interior flow path is defined in the housing extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing.
 3. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 2, wherein a non-woven filter element is operatively associated with the third interior flow path.
 4. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 3, wherein the non-woven filter element is positioned adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing.
 5. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 1, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second interior flow path.
 6. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 5, wherein the fluid trap is located adjacent an upstream side of the second pleated filter element.
 7. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 2, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.
 8. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 2, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.
 9. A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system comprising: a) a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing, and a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing; b) a first pleated filter element positioned within the first interior flow path; c) a second pleated filter element positioned within the second interior flow path; and d) a carbon filter disc positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing.
 10. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 9, wherein a third interior flow path is defined in the housing extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing.
 11. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 10, wherein a non-woven filter element is operatively associated with the third interior flow path.
 12. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 11, wherein the non-woven filter element is positioned adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing.
 13. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 9, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second interior flow path.
 14. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 13, wherein the fluid trap is located between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing.
 15. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 9, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.
 16. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 9, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing.
 17. A filter cartridge for a surgical gas delivery system comprising: a) a housing having a front end and a rear end and defining a first interior flow path extending downstream from a first inlet at the rear end of the housing to a first outlet at the front end of the housing for delivering pressurized gas from the surgical gas delivery device to a body cavity of a patient, a second interior flow path extending upstream from a second inlet at the front end the housing to a second outlet at the rear end of the housing for returning gas from the body cavity of the patient to the surgical gas delivery device, and a third interior flow path extending downstream from a third inlet at the rear end of the housing to a third outlet at the front end of the housing or delivering insufflation gas from the surgical gas delivery device to the body cavity of the patient; b) a first pleated filter element positioned within the first interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient; c) a second pleated filter element positioned within the second interior flow path for filtering the pressurized gas returning from the body cavity of the patient; d) an activated carbon filter disc positioned within the second interior flow path between the second pleated filter element and the second outlet at the rear end of the housing for removing volatile organic compounds from the gas returning from the body cavity of the patient; and e) a non-woven filter element positioned within the third interior flow path adjacent the third inlet at the rear end of the housing for filtering the insufflation gas delivered to the body cavity of the patient.
 18. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 17, wherein a fluid trap is defined within the housing and is operatively associated with the second interior flow path and is located between the second pleated filter element and the second inlet at the front end of the housing.
 19. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 17, wherein the first inlet, the second outlet and the third inlet are associated with a rear end cap of the housing.
 20. A filter cartridge as recited in claim 17, wherein the first outlet, the second inlet and the third outlet are associated with a front end cap of the housing. 